Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a second bout of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Following chemo, six months later, I began apheresis for removal of my T-cells in preparation for a CAR-T procedure. Once my newly fortified T-cells were transplanted, I spent two weeks in the hospital, then the required remaining two to three weeks at home being tended to by my wife and an organized group of friends who watched over me, drove me to appointments, and fed my wife and me. At the time, no one except an old friend of mine who wrote science fiction had any idea what a CAR-T even was.
At the start of this adventure, I received a small grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), which allowed me to pay a friend to drive me during the clinic check-in part of my recovery.
I have much more to tell about my CAR-T adventure, including the fact that my recovery in the hospital was a bit atypical (I was chatty in the extreme and made many new "friends" while recuperating). The doctors and PAs were all very receptive (or so they seemed) to my insights (many of which are now forgotten) and my worries. I started this adventure as a published novelist. Now, a year and a half into remission, I have begun to make visual art.
Will I write another novel? Don't know. I am currently trying to figure out how best to use the next five years of the healthy life my transplant doc has assured me I will have.
Judith
large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL)
